When you try to send an email without filling in the Subject line, Outlook 2010 complains. It’ll let you send the email, but not before forcing you to confirm your action. Some users feel the new confirmation process is a waste of time, and I’m asked frequently how to disable this warning.

If you want to send subjectless messages, you can – you just have to confirm your intentions. If doing so annoys you, use Peter Marchert‘s macro. I’ve tested the macro in Outlook 2010 and it works fine. Be sure to put the function in the ThisOutlookSession module (under Microsoft Outlook Objects) and enable macros as follows:

  1. Click the Developer tab.
  2. In the Code group, click Macro Security.
  3. Select Macro Settings in the left pane (if necessary).
  4. Click the Enable All Macros (Not Recommended; Potentially Dangerous Code Can Run) option.
  5. Click OK.
  6. Close and restart Outlook.

This setting comes at a price – you’re allowing Outlook 2010 to run all macros without permission or notification. Depending on your environment, that might be a bad idea, so be careful. It isn’t a setting I’d choose lightly.

Interestingly, the topic seems to be controversial. Sending a message without a subject is considered bad etiquette by the rule-makers. Some would go so far as to say you should never do so. Besides being rude, spam filters often snag messages without a subject, so your subjectless email may never reach its destination. Others believe too much of a good thing is just as bad; users who want to disable this warning should be able to do so – Microsoft should just add a setting.

If you have a strong opinion about this topic, you can use Microsoft’s online Submit Feedback form to share your thoughts. I can’t promise they’ll change Outlook 2010 according to your wishes, but it can’t hurt. In the meantime, express yourself in our latest poll: